The Freudian Slip Of A Bacolodnon

I am no political science student. I am a doctor and had experience working for the local government as a municipal health officer. In the Philippine setting, the health system is a devolved system, which means, the local chief executive has the administrative role on how to run a local health system. Unfortunately, not all politicians are knowledgeable in the field of public health or medicine. Not all politicians are doctors. So, if you let a non-health professional run a health care system, expect that there can be lapses. Not all Local chief executives are poor health managers though. Some LCE's have become successful in running their health care system simply because they allowed the right health professionals to manage the health care system. But there are mayors and sometimes governors who feel that they are the very "kings" and "lords" of their towns and cities they dominate a field which they themselves are not sad to say capable of understanding, much ...

Are you a former Doctor to the Barrios of the Department of Health? Then you must tell us your story. This "contest" is open to all Doctors to the Barrios both alumni and those presently working as DTTB. SHARE YOUR BARRIOTIC STORY: The DTTB Foundation is planning to publish a book, a collection of stories of experiences of Doctors to the Barrios from past to present. We want you to tell your story in not more than 500 words. Choose from among the suggested themes: 1. "Habal-Habal" Stories - stories that focus on your travels within and outside of your barrio, share with us your anecdotes and experiences on your first habal-habal ride or your crossing the treacherous seas to your little municipal island. Anything to do with travels. 2. Stories From the Stethoscopes - stories that focus on your day-to-day dealings with your patients, share a memorable experience you have with a memorable patient. 3. Success Stories - stories about your accomplishments, big or small, ...

New administration, new chances. Now that we have a new Administration, I am hopeful that now we can start introducing the changes we wanted for our country. I am no politician. I am just a medical doctor who had 3 years of public health experience and 2 years of teaching experience as well. Within this short span, I was exposed to our health care system and had the opportunity to also be exposed to other health care systems beyond our borders and was able to compare our system with theirs. Of course there are differences and these differences are brought about by the disparity in resources and the variation in cultures. However, we both face the same illnesses and public health concerns. Now that President Aquino has appointed a new health minister, I am hopeful that under the leadership of the new Health Secretary, we can start introducing the changes we wanted for our own health care system, reforming it so that it can be responsive to the needs of the Filipino people. If I were the...

As our way of saying thank you to our fellow participants and organizers of the 7th Global Health Course held in Tampere, Finland, we made this video inspired by Orange and Lemons' popular song, "Pinoy Ako" which became the theme song of the popular TV reality show Pinoy Big Brother. We will never forget our Europe experience, thanks to the people who gave us this opportunity to learn and study with our new found friends. (Must have facebook account to access video)

While the Global health course was going on, the world was constantly watching the events in South Africa. The World Cup fever was on the rise and it was all the more made apparent since among the participants in the GHC were Chileans whose national team was actually competing against other countries from around the world. Watching the Chileans react to every action on the football field whenever Team Chile was playing is reminiscent of Filipinos watching Manny Pacquiao's boxing match. The World Cup is symbolic of internationally unity and since the GHC participants seemed to have created almost subliminally a microcosm of the international community, the boys decided to play football as well. Football is not exactly a Filipino sport although if given the chance we can excel in Football, more than we think about Basketball. Still, we wanted to show as well our sport prowess in Soccer, or the lack of it. Still, it was a fun moment. We found this football field in an elderly home nea...

Despite Finland being one of the most expensive countries in the world, participants of the 7th Global Health Course, especially the Filipinos, will never forget the gastronomic experience they have. Of course, one of the things we immediately noticed is their love for coffee and "pulla". It was common for a GHC participant to buy some cheap stuff from the nearest grocer and cook breakfast or dinner. This we did, and more. We discovered a place called Rax which actually is a Pizza Buffet place. For 9.50 euros, you can eat unlimited pizza, chicken wings, salad, sausages, meatballs and drinks. If we were very hungry, Rax was a saving grace, even when we went to our first visit to Helsinki. But what is food without company? What made them so delicious was the fact that they are shared with new found friends. The conversations over breakfast, lunch, dinner and even coffee breaks were actually priceless, worth than the food itself. I won't forget the first group dinner of a...